Tag Archives: folk

Album review: THE DEAD SOUTH – Illusion & Doubt

Posted on February 9, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

DevilDuck Records [Release date 23.03.18] Outlaws, modern hillbillies? The opening strains of ‘Boots’ does, indeed, bring Jed Clampett and his clan to mind. And regrettably, not Elly May. No, more her half-witted half-brother Jethro, having a banjo/mandolin fuelled bluegrass hoedown … Continue reading →

Quick plays: LUKE JACKSON, TOM TOWNSEND

Posted on January 25, 2018 by jason

LUKE JACKSON Solo, Duo, Trio First Take Records [Release date 09.02.18] Luke Jackson has been steadily building a name for himself since his debut album ‘More Than The Boys’ was released in 2013. Indeed, he has been nominated for the BBC … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged albums, blues, folk, funk, jazz, Leave It Up To Me, live, Luke Jackson, pop, Quick Plays, review, singer songwriter, Solo, Tom Townsend | Leave a comment

Book review: JACKIE MCAULEY – I, SIDEMAN: The Story Of Me In The 60′s & 70′s

Posted on January 22, 2018 by petefeenstra

www.jackiemcauley.com – 253 pages paperback [Publication date: December 2017] Jackie McAuley’s ‘I Sideman: The Story Of Me In The 60′s and 70′s’ is an eloquently written, partial biography by a multi instrumentalist and vocalist who takes three quarters of the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS | Tagged acoustic, Bonzo Dog Band, book, Brendan Bonass, Celtic rock, Charlie Watts, folk, Frank McCourt, Gene Vincent, Henry McCullough, I Sideman, Irish, Jackie McAuley, Jimi Hendrix, JOE COCKER, John Peel, Judy Dyble, Kim Fowley, Lonnie Donegan, Marvin Rainwater, Miami Show band, Paul Brady, Paul McCartney, Pete Brown, review, Royal Showband, The Kult, Them, Trader Horne, Van Morrison, Vangelis, Viv Stanshall | Leave a comment

Quick plays: BETH NIELSEN CHAPMAN, ALL THE LUCK IN THE WORLD, RAINTIMES

Posted on January 16, 2018 by jason

BETH NIELSEN CHAPMAN Hearts Of Glass Proper Music [Release date 09.02.18] www.bethnielsenchapman.com Beth Nielsen Chapman’s latest album is nearly all her own songs, with many of them being re-recorded versions where the piano on the originals is replaced by guitar. … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged A Blind Arcade, albums, All The Luck In The World, alternative, Beth Nielsen Chapman, country, folk, Frontiers, Hearts Of Glass, inide, melodic, melodic rock, Raintimes, reviews, the Storm, Von Groove | Leave a comment

Album review: JOAN BAEZ – Whistle Down The Wind

Posted on January 4, 2018 by jason

Proper Records [Release date 02.03.18] Joan Baez made her live debut back in 1959 at the Newport Folk Festival and now she is starting to wind down her career, touring wise at least as 2018 marks her last year of … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, folk, Joan Baez, Joe Henry, Josh Ritter, protest, review, singer songwriter, Tom Waits, Whistle Down The Wind | Leave a comment

Album review: GORDON GILTRAP – Peace Will Fall

Posted on January 2, 2018 by GRTR! HQ

Angel Air Records [Release date 12.01.18] A bit like the proverbial bus, Gordon Giltrap’s recent albums are few and far between and then two arrive within a relatively short space of time. Last year’s ‘The Last of England’ was a … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, Carol Lee Sampson, Christian, folk, Gordon Giltrap, instrumental, Martin Green, Peace Will Fall, religious, review | Leave a comment

Album review: THE TRANSPORTS – A Tale of Exile and Migration

Posted on December 24, 2017 by jason

Hudson Records [Release date 12.01.18] The Transports tells the tale of a family destroyed by poverty and crime, but resurrected by exile to Australia in the 1780s. The songs were originally penned by Peter Bellamy and have now been given … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged A Tale of Exile and Migration, album, Bellowhead, Faustus, folk, migration, Peter Bellamy, review, the Transports, the Young'Uns, theatre | Leave a comment

Album review: DAMIEN O’KANE – Avenging & Bright

Posted on December 19, 2017 by jason

Pure Records [Release date 08.12.17] Damien O’Kane’s album ‘Areas Of High Traffic’, released last year, was nominated for ‘Album Of The Year’ at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Based on this new album that is hardly surprising as in the main he takes … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Avenging & Bright, banjo, Damien O'Kane, folk, Kate Rusby, melodic, Proper Records, review | Leave a comment

Album review: JON BODEN – Afterglow

Posted on December 11, 2017 by jason

Hudson Records [Release date 06.10.17] ‘Afterglow’ follows on from Jon Boden’s 2009 post-apocalyptic concept album ‘Songs From The Floodplain’. Whereas that album was largely rural in its setting, ‘Afterglow’ takes the listener into the chaos of a ruined city’s street carnival, as two star-crossed lovers try to … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Afterglow, album, Bellowhead, concept, folk, Hudson Records, indie, Jon Boden, melodic, review, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE – Medicine Songs

Posted on December 7, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

True North Records [Release date 07.11.17] A new album from the now 76 year old Buffy, and guess what? Yes, lurking there amidst a collection of old, new, and borrowed, (and Blue) material are career defining numbers like ‘Soldier Blue’ … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, Buffy Sainte-Marie, folk, Medicine Songs, protest, review, singer, songwriter | Leave a comment

EP review: DANDELION CHARM – Riding The Flood

Posted on November 16, 2017 by jason

www.dandelioncharm.com/ Riding The Flood is a new five-track EP from Newhaven-based duo Dandelion Charm, who comprise of John and Clare Fowler. Clare Flowler says that ‘the themes we deal with in our songs are not frivolous ones. They are all … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Clare Fowler, Dandelion Charm, EP, folk, John Fowler, melodic, review, Riding The Flood | Leave a comment

Album review: BARENAKED LADIES – Fake Nudes

Posted on November 14, 2017 by jason

UMC [Release date 17.11.17] Barenaked Ladies, a band you have to be careful when Googling particularly with this latest album title… Barenaked Ladies have deservedly won many awards in their native Canada – 8 Juno awards to date – for their harmony filled pop songs, … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Barenaked Ladies, Fake Nudes, folk, indie, pop, pop rock, power pop, review, rock | Leave a comment

Gig review: JON BODEN – Cornerstones, Didcot, 9 November 2017

Posted on November 10, 2017 by jason

A first for me a gig in walking distance of my home! Cornerstones is a cosy, modern theatre. It was a sold out show to see former Bellowhead frontman Jon Boden play a solo gig in support of his recently … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged 9 November 2017, Afterglow, Bellowhead, Cornerstones, Didcot, folk, gig, Jon Boden, review, singer songwriter, Solo | Leave a comment

EP review: INDIA ELECTRIC CO. – Seven Sisters

Posted on November 7, 2017 by jason

www.indiaelectricco.com [Release date 17.11.17] The talented duo that is the India Electric Co. are back with their second EP in a trilogy loosely based on contrasting town and country. Cole Stacey provides his haunting vocals, along with percussion, whilst Joseph O’Keefe adds … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, Single and EP reviews | Tagged Cole Stacey, EP, folk, India Electric Co., Joseph O'Keefe, review, Seven Sisters, traditional | Leave a comment

Quick plays: DANTE FOX, CHEAP TRICK, KATE RUSBY, LOTS HOLLOWAY

Posted on November 1, 2017 by jason

DANTE FOX Six String Revolver AOR Heaven [Release date 24.11.17] This album sees Dante Fox re-record ten songs from their first two albums ‘Under Suspicion’ (1996) and ‘The Fire Within’ (1999) – five songs from each album. Joining the band … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Angels & Men, AOR, carols, Cheap Trick, Christmas Christmas, Dante Fox, folk, Kate Rusby, Lots Holloway, melodic, review, rock, Roy Wood, Six String Revolver | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE STRAWBS – Under The Bridge, London, 29 October 2017

Posted on October 30, 2017 by jason

As a kid in the 70s I do recall frequent radio plays of the Strawbs novelty hit ‘Part Of The Union’ in what was that fractious decade for industrial relations. And as an adult and Sandy Denny fanatic, the latter’s … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged classic rock, Dave Cousins, folk, gig, London, October 29 2017, progressive, review, rock, The Ferryman's Curse, The Strawbs, Under the Bridge | Leave a comment

Album review: STRAWBS – The Ferryman’s Curse

Posted on October 28, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Esoteric Antenna [Release date 03.11.17] What do we know about Strawbs? Well, their origins go back to the mid-1960s, they’ve covered folk, prog and pop stylings and are perhaps best remembered for the song ‘Part Of The Union’ which was … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, Dave Bainbridge, Dave Cousins, Dave Lambert, folk, Iona, prog, progressive, review, rock, Strawbs, The Ferryman's Curse | Leave a comment

Quick plays: GREGORY PORTER, DYED IN BLUE, KIRSTY MERRYN, JOE HENRY

Posted on October 25, 2017 by jason

GREGORY PORTER Nat King Cole & Me Decca/Blue Note [Release date 27.10.17] Gregory Porter has shot to fame from his jazz background to become a major name in the jazz and soul world. On his latest release he pays homage … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Dyed In Blue, folk, Gregory Porter, Harem Scarem, Harry Hess, jazz, Joe Henry, Kirsty Merryn, melodic, Moment Of Leaving, Nat King Cole, Patrick Grehan, review, rock, Show Of Hands, soul, Thrum, You & I | Leave a comment

Quick plays: PILGRIMS’ WAY, RICHARD THOMPSON

Posted on October 17, 2017 by jason

PILGRIMS’ WAY Stand & Deliver [Release date 20.10.1] Pilgrims’ Way are a four piece folk band, although they take folk as their starting point and add in pop, West End showmanship and more into their musical pot. This album as … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged Acoustic Rarities, Adam Ant, album, Fairport Convention, folk, Pilgrims' Way, review, Richard Thompson, songwriter, Stand & Deliver | Leave a comment

Album review: PETER KNIGHT’S GIGSPANNER – The Wife Of Urban Law

Posted on October 2, 2017 by jason

[Release date 31.10.17] Folk rock icon, fiddle supremo and former Steeleye Span-er, Peter Knight, along with the rest of his trio Gigspanner have been busy lately. This is their second new album of the year. First, in the summer came … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, The Best of 2017 | Tagged album, folk, Gigspanner, melodic, Peter Knight, review, Steeleye Span, The Wife Of Urban Law | Leave a comment

Album review: SAM KELLY & THE LOST BOYS – Pretty Peggy

Posted on September 29, 2017 by jason

Navigator Records [Release date 06.10.17] Sam Kelly & the Lost Boys have already picked up rave reviews from the likes of Mark Radcliffe and Mike Harding, plus awards, including winning BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards ‘Best Emerging Act’. All this and Sam … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Cara Dillon, folk, Michael McGoldrick, Pretty Peggy, review, Sam Kelly & the Lost Boys, traditional music | Leave a comment

Album review: DAVID CROSBY – Sky Trails

Posted on September 26, 2017 by petefeenstra

BMG [Release date 29.09.17] Who would have thought that after a 20 year gap, septuagenarian David Crosby would return to cut three of his best albums in the last few years? For all its Californian whimsy and introspection, ‘Sky Trails’ … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Becca Stevens, Crosby Stills & Nash, David Crosby, folk, funk, Greg Leisz, James Raymond, jazz, Jeff Pevar, Joni Mitchell, Mai Agan, Michael McDonald, review, rock, Sky Trails, songwriter, Steeely Dan, Steve Tavaglione | Leave a comment

Quick plays: FRIGG, PALE HONEY, HELL IN THE CLUB, CATHEDRALE

Posted on September 20, 2017 by jason

FRIGG Frost On Fiddles Frigg [Release date 06.10.17] Frigg (be careful how you spell that on a Google search!) hail from Finland and feature the talents of four fiddle players, plus a guitarist, bassist and cittern/mandolin players. All instrumentals and … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS, Quick Plays | Tagged album, Cathedrale, Devotion, fiddles, folk, Frigg, Frost On Fiddles, Hell In The Club, John Young. Jon Camp, melodic, Pale Honey, progressive, review, rock, singer songwriter | Leave a comment

Album review: JANIS IAN – The Essential 2.0

Posted on September 17, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Sony Legacy [Release date 22.09.17] This 2 CD collection neatly brings together, for the first time, some of Ian’s best (?) works spanning her whole career from 1967 to date on the Columbia, Verve And Rude Girl labels. All too … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged acoustic, album, compilation, folk, Greatest Hits, Janis Ian, review, rock, singer songwriter, The Essential 2.0 | Leave a comment

Gig review: BEAUTIFUL DAYS Festival – Devon, 18-20 August 2017

Posted on September 5, 2017 by GRTR! HQ

Dance Before, During and After the Storm Between Friday 18th and Sunday 20th August 2017 the bizarre, the wonderful and the contradictions of the norm gathered in the grounds of Escot Park to embrace the eclectic bohemian eccentricity that is … Continue reading →